How to write an Issue Paper
An issue paper is a brief essay written to expound on a particular topic. An issue paper is meant to convince an individual, a division or a company, or a law-making body to take specific actions which might include coming up with policies putting in place laws in a business or company.
In our essay writing experience, our tutors note that most colleges use issue papers to assess whether students have understood a certain societal or national issue. Click on the right button if you need to consult one of these expert graduate writers if you need personalized help.
This task of writing an issue paper requires you to summarize what you have studied about an issue or a challenge you have encountered in your field. You then take a position and argue in a way that will lead to an action being taken or a relevant policy being put in place.
This guide will examine how to write an issue paper under the following titles:
Leu us Write your Papers! No Plagiarism
Get that A on your next essay assignment without the hassles. Any topic or subject. 100% Plagiarism-Free Essays.
You have to know the issue you are writing about. This guide is shorter than our complete guide to writing good essays that we did in a rather comprehensive manner. Check it out for deeper details.
Before reading the steps, know the topic you are exploring. This issue arises from the topic so you must have familiarity with the issue to avoid a scenario in which you will only discuss the hypothetical bit.
Choose a title that is interesting as long as it has strong points of argument. An interesting title to you should have strong points of argument that provide you with a proper platform to write your issue paper.
Should you choose an interesting one without proper evidence, you will end up having very weak arguments.
When you choose a topic that is your favorite the emotional bit in you might make you reason illogically.
Therefore, choose a topic that will allow you to think objectively with neutrality devoid of bias.
This includes your thesis and short notes or preparations for your arguments. This is what provides the plan of the paper you are to write. The outline is planned in the manner discussed in step 3 below.
Choose a topic that has not been explored and brainstorm on what approach the topic can take. Set up your ideas?
You can still refer to your tutor concerning the essay and how its theoretical framework should appear.
Note down your thoughts as they cross your mind as you also reflect on the topic. Think over the topic for some hours or rather sleep over it.
The insights that will cross your mind will be important and worth taking note of.
Read and research more on the subject through sourcing books, articles, journals, and literary works which appear key and relevant to your work. As you read, take notes on the key points.
As you do this, you have a second draft of the plan since you are more enlightened and knowledgeable on the subject. This is what gives you the structure of the issue paper. It has the following:
The introduction-This is a brief paragraph that has a hook ta draws the reader’s attention and introduces us to the topic.
Theoretical framework-These are the sources and the ideas you are arguing for.
The argument-Here you discuss three or four arguments with each appearing in its own paragraph.
The conclusion-This is a brief summary that encompasses the entire essay.
References -These are drawn from the citations and various sources that you have used in your research to answer the issue paper.
You will provide an abstract of your work. Give a proper description of the issue at hand, the reasons that cause the controversy, and the actions you would like to be taken by the relevant authorities.
Go through your paper to:
You may five your work to someone else so as to get their responses. This is key since the person might be having a different opinion from yours.
Write a summary that is convincing and moderate in tone and voice. The summary captures the key areas in your paper and the touching points.
The summary can be done with reference to what was introduced in the introduction paragraph. That is why an introduction paragraph to an argument is very important since it sets the tone for the whole paper, and the final summary, which is commonly called the conclusion.
Use the correct form of referencing to support your evidence. Some of the referencing styles include MLA, American Psychological Association (APA), and Chicago.
Research on an issue paper requires material from other sources such as articles and reports, books, periodicals, and brochures.
You can have in-text citations or a bibliography at the end which will eventually form the reference list.
This does not only allow you to give your readers complete information but also gives credit to other writers. Apart from that, you prove your ability to research carefully.
Readers are able to verify the truth and accuracy of your paper through these references and citations.
Information from other sources may be paraphrased, summarized, or directly quoted.
In summary, the issue paper should therefore take the following format:
This should be open and debatable, one that has not been well researched would be better.
This can take the form of:
Contains a thesis of 2-3 sentences.
This explains or provides the extent of the problem and how bad it is.
This part shows:
All these are done through examples, stories, and facts.
For example, it might begin with: Because of this problem…
For example: if we don’t act fast and solve this problem, this will happen…
As you read and research what is going to be in your paper, put down in writing all the remarks, thoughts, and relevant ideas that may pop up in your mind.
Take note of passages that relate to your title, various meanings of words and concepts plus theories. Moreover, you can also take note of theories that are relevant to what your issue paper will be all about.
This section contains the probable solutions to the discussed issues. It states:
It restates the thesis and relates the work back to the introduction. Just like writing a survey paper, this step involves summation and presentation of key points of the entire paper.
If the provided plans, steps, and guidelines are followed, you will not only be able to write a good issue paper but also convince your readers and audience on why the issue stated should be looked into.
As you read and research what is going to be in your paper, put down in writing all the remarks, thoughts, and relevant ideas that may pop up in your mind.
Take note of passages that relate to your title, various meanings of words and concepts plus theories. Moreover, you can also take note of theories that are relevant to what your issue paper will be all about.
The conclusion is a way of bringing closure for the reader regarding the paper by bringing thoughts together in a particular manner.
In a way, it should answer the following:
The conclusion, therefore, allows the writer to briefly state some of the key points in the body and arrange them in a summarized form.
You can read more about a different type of essay – the guide to writing opinion essays, which will expound more on something different. You can also read about writing theory of knowledge essays for a wider understanding.
Jessica Kasen is experienced in academic writing and academic assistance. She is well versed in academia and has a master’s degree in education. Kasen consults with us in helping students improve their grades. She also oversights the quality of work done by our writers.